HorrorFest Make ‘N Take

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Horror Make ‘N Take

Colorado Haunters Come and learn to make some horror of your own in these hands-on Make ‘N Take classes led by Evil Andrew. Evil is an avid home haunter from Parker, CO. His yard/garage haunt, Old Stonegate Cemetery, attracts hundreds of trick-or-treaters each Halloween. He is the founder of Colorado Haunters – a group that holds monthly Make N Takes to share ideas, technology and build Halloween props. For more information on the Colorado Haunters, go to garageofevilnetwork.com.

PVC Candles

This is a hands-on class where each student will make a set of 3 artificial candles out of PVC pipe, LED tea lights and hot glue. PVC candles eliminate the dangers of open flame and are a great addition to your Halloween or Christmas decor! Students should bring a hot glue gun if they have one. Cost per student $25 – Class Duration 1 hour – Max Class size 25 people.

Realistic Foam Tombstones

This is a presentation on the complete process of making realistic tombstones out of foam insulation board. Examples of several different styles and sizes of tombstones will be presented, as well as obelisks, celtic crosses, cemetery gate columns and other monuments – all made of foam. You will learn how to cut the tombstone shape out of foam board, design and print an epitaph template, carve the epitaph and other decorative elements and use various painting techniques to take your graveyard to the next level. Each student will receive a tombstone blank to take home and work on, as well as synopsis of techniques presented in the class. Cost per student $30 – Class Duration 1.5 hours – Max Class size 25 people.

Monster Machines Return

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Monster Machines

Monster Machine Returns to StarFest
Oh boy do I want one!

The guys at Monster Machine are going to be showing off a new Monster Machine based on the new Star Wars game. These guys build those really-cool kick-butt computers that are displayed between the Hotel Registration and Convention Registration at the Marriott. They really put together a great display with lots of computers that really define the bleeding edge of speed and graphics. Every year my grandsons drag me over and ask why G-Pa doesn’t have a computer that cool. Secretly, I’ve been asking myself the same question. Maybe this year I’ll get the computer I really want instead of another lame "bargin bin" model. If you want to start the drooling early, check out their website at http://monstermachcomp.com/

The Celebrity Panel

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Jewell Staite

The Celebrity Panel:
How to get them to spill their deepest darkest secrets…
By Sarah Graner

Dallas. The crown jewel of the great state of Texas. The place conjures thoughts of such things as the grassy knoll, Walker, Texas Ranger, and provokes questions such as, “Who shot JR?” and, “Are there really places I can select my own cow before it is turned into a delicious steak?”

During my brief stay, I experienced strange and wonderful things I had never expected. Such as snow in Dallas and the utter pandemonium that ensues the moment a Texan gets being the wheel. There was a McDonald’s with chandeliers and fireplaces, and the best bourbon pecan pie I have ever eaten. Then there was the Dallas SciFi Expo: Much smaller than the like of Denver’s Starfest, and much more sedate. Half the primary cast of Firefly attended; we were graced with the presence of Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher and Ron Glass. Eliza Dushku also attended, however, the Firefly cast was much more interesting and engaging.

If you’ve never been to a panel before, expect to hear stories from the set, and what the cast does in their off time. Depending on the individuals, the panels can reveal personal stories about how they spent the night in jail in their boxers (such as Joe Flanigan of Stargate Atlantis) or end up being a discussion about their political beliefs (Sean Astin). The crew of the Serenity hosted an extremely enjoyable panel. The chemistry between them was almost tangible. Between Adam Baldwin’s stern glares and Jewel Staite and Sean Maher consistently breaking down into fits of giggles, and Ron Glass’ insistence he was good at yoga, the panel was fantastic. But what pushed me to the edge of hysterics was the interaction with the crowd. It didn’t help that the poor guy asking the question pronounced Alan Tudyks name in such a way that the maturity level of the whole room dropped from Sci-fi geek to 8-year-old boy. Which isn’t saying much.

The key to a good panel is the fan interaction. Just keep in mind that celebrities are real people, so there will be things they probably don’t want to talk about in public. So questions about family or other personal things are probably not wise, or questions about their plastic surgery. But sometimes the more random the question, the better reply you get. For example, the story about Joe Flanigan spending the night in jail in merely a pair of boxers was prompted by someone asking him about a night club stamp on his hand and making a smart-ass comment about it being a wild night. The audience was then regaled with the story about how he was arrested over an incident of an overdue ticket for speeding on a mountain bike.

This year at StarFest I am looking forward to seeing Jewel’s panel. I first saw her in The Odyssey (points for those of you who don’t have to look that up on IMDB) and since we are similar ages and I was a Nickelodeon addict, I watched most other shows she appeared in. Space Cases happened to also be one of the first scifi shows I watched religiously (and one my parents actually let me watch). Of course, later on came Firefly and Stargate Atlantis, and I was delighted to see her in my all-time favorite show, Supernatural, even if she did play a monster. I have yet to figure out if I have a question to ask her or if I will merely mention just how talented she is and thank her for doing a good job.

The StarFest Entertainment Convention will be held at the Denver Marriott DTC- April 20-22.

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5
Suspended Animation Review by
Mark Allen
Published by Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
568 pages, $16.99

The last four installments of Suspended Animation have dealt heavily with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s breathtaking 1960s run on Marvel’s Fantastic Four. And, while the remarkable quality of the legendary duo’s work was monumentally maintained in the fifth volume, a subject which cannot escape inspection is the passing of the artistic baton, first to stand-in artist John Romita, then to the second ongoing penciler in the book’s history, the renowned John Buscema.

Romita had the unenviable task of picking up where Kirby’s celebrated work ended. Yet, it seems he made small effort to ape Kirby’s style. To my mind, that’s a positive thing. While many diehard Kirby fans, both then and now, might bemoan Romita making the characters his own during his four-issue stint, his work possessed an exclusive elegance, and he had long since proved his aptitude for high-voltage superhero action as the regular artist on The Amazing Spider-Man.

Many fans of great comics may have been perfectly satisfied with Romita at the artistic helm, but Marvel settled on John Buscema to carry the company’s First Family through the next few years. Buscema’s style, though perhaps not as graceful as Romita’s, had a more rugged appeal. An artist who it could be said produced some of the greatest action scenes in the industry, Buscema’s depiction of the conflict and combat that played such an enormous role in the series marked him as one of the few logical successors to Jack Kirby. Additionally, the sense of realism found in his work seemed to mark the Fantastic Four’s graduation into a new era when compared with Kirby’s more distorted, though no less action-ready, style.

Besides offering the work of three of the best artists comics has ever seen, readers will also find the entertaining return of Dr. Doom, the Moleman, the Skrulls, the Frightful Four, and the Submariner, and even a guest appearance by Richard Nixon!

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5 is recommended for all readers. It can be obtained from online retailers and auctions, but try your local comics shop first, if you have one.

The Moon Man

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Stephen Walker

The Moon Man

The Moon Man
Pulp Anthology from
Airship 27 Productions

Detective Sgt. Stephen Thatcher is the son of Police Chief Peter Thatcher. Sickened by the effects of the Great Depression on Great City, the young lawman cannot reconcile the rich society elite living the good life while across town the poor of Great City go hungry. Unable to correct this injustice through the system he represents, Thatcher assumes the role of the vigilante thief the Moon Man by disguising himself behind a one-way Argus glass globe. In this get up he then proceed to rob the rich and give to the needy via his loyal aide, former boxer Ned “Angel” Dargan. He is also aided by the lovely Sue McEwen, the daughter of the man sworn to capture him, his own boss, Lt. Detective Gil McEwen.

Created by pulp legend Frederick C. Davis, the Moon Man’s exploits appeared in the pages of “Ten Detective Aces” and were all reader favorites. “It really is amazing how many old pulp fans still recall this character with so much fondness,” commented Airship 27 Managing Editor, Ron Fortier. ”He was so unique and outlandish, fighting villains and avoiding the police all the while wearing that fish bowl on his head.”

Now he returns to the streets of Great City in five new thrilling adventures written by writers Ken Janssens, Gary Lovisi, Erwin K.Roberts and Andrew Salmon. Pulpdom’s most bizarre hero is back on the case with a cover by Rob Davis & Rich Woodall and twelve interior illustrations by Ralph Van Der Hoeven.

“This is just kind of book we started Airship 27 Productions for,” added Fortier. ”To shine a spotlight on these classic pulp heroes and showcase them to a new audience. For many, this will be their first introduction to the Moon Man. Hopefully while enjoying these new tales, they will be intrigued enough to go find reprints of the originals.”

Airship 27 publishes anthologies and novels in the pulp magazine tradition. In the past, Airship 27 has released “Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective”, the “Weird Horror Tales” trilogy of horror novels by Michael Vance, and “Deathwalker”. For more information on Airship 27, go to www.airship27.com.

HorrorFest Haunted Denver Bus Tour

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Jed Rowen at HorrorFest

The HorrorFest Haunted Denver Bus Tour
Presented by the Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society
and Warning Radio’s Bryan & Baxter

Thursday, April 19, 2012 leaving from the Marriott DTC

This 3 hour tour hits some of the most haunted hotspots in Denver. Filled with history, ghost stories, and humor, it is a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss. Tour tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased in advance. Space is very limited so get your tickets early. The tour will leave the Marriott Denver Tech Center at 7:00pm promptly. You should plan to be there 15 minutes in advance. Unfortunately the bus is not handicapped accessible and you will need to be able to get on and off at several stops and walk short distances.

Funny and engaging, Bryan and Baxter know where all the ghosts are buried in Denver. Together, they present an informative and inciteful tour filled with historical information and hands-on "this is where it was" accounts. Uniquely intriging, their collection of artifacts, anticdotes, and wisdom make this a one-of-a-kind ghost experience.

Bryan and Baxter host a weekly paranormal internet radio show broadcast from Warningradio.com. Together, they use solid scientific methods to investigate paranormal locations and reports in an effort to quantify claims and de-bunk the side-show promoters in the field that give credible investigators a bad name.

BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW – VERY LIMITED SEATING

Jed Rowen Returns To Stalk StarFest & HorrorFest

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Jed Rowen at HorrorFest

Jed Rowen
Actor

This is Jed’s fifth appearance as a guest at Horrorfest, and he returns with his biggest and best film, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X. He plays the villainous character, Sluggo, in this 35 mm sci-fi black-and-white musical extravaganza. Jed also sang in several of the songs in the movie and contributed his slide guitar work on the song, Here We Go.

The Ghastly Love of Johnny Xhad an amazing world premiere at Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose this past March, and also had big write-ups in Sci Fi magazine and the American Cinematographer. Jed’s other sci-fi film, Piranhaconda, will have its world premiere on the SyFy channel later this year.

In recognition of his wide array of movie roles over the years, Jed was recently awarded the Golden Halo Film Achievement Award by the historic Southern California Motion Picture Council. His film career was also the subject of a featured article in The Atlantic magazine entitled, Inbred Jed: The Strenuous Life of a B-Movie Zombie, recounting his many zombie roles and experiences as a cult film actor.

Jed is very excited to be back in Denver for Horrorfest, at the Starfest Convention, to reunite with all of his friends and fans who have been so supportive of his career over the years. Please look for him at the special midnight screening of the film Saturday night, and at another screening of the movie on Sunday. Jed will also be at panels and events throughout the convention.

Wrath of the Titans Screening

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Wrath of the Titans

Wrath of the Titans Screening
Thursday, March 29th @ 7:00pm
UA Colorado Center, I-25 & Colorado, Denver

Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson star once again as gods at war in Wrath of the Titans, under the direction of Jonathan Liebesman.

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus – the demigod son of Zeus – is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius.

Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity’s lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld.

Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares, switch loyalties and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth.

Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda, Poseidon’s demigod son, Agenor, and fallen god Hephaestus, Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

This film is rated PG-13. Play for tickets to the screening.

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Stephen Walker

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X
Screening @ HorrorFest
Film festival favorite flies into StarFest/HorrorFest

Truly a mad concoction, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X blends 1950s sci-fi melodrama, song-and-dance, and a touch of horror into a mesmerizing big screen spectacular! The fun begins as Johnny X and his misfit gang of juvenile delinquents from outer space are sentenced to Earth where “ghastly” is the word!

With highly stylized musical numbers, tons of genuinely humorous dialogue and wacky plot twists, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X is the only sci-fi dark comedy musical romance you need to see this year! Beautifully photographed on the last of Kodak’s 35mm black-and white Plus-X film stock, the cast includes sexy new stars Will Keenan and De Anna Joy Brooks, as well as seasoned professionals Creed Bratton (The Office), Reggie Bannister (Phantasm), Kate Maberly (The Secret Garden), Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise), HorrorFest’s own Jed Rowen (Dahmer vs. Gacy), and the late Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) in his final role.

For more information about the film, watch the movie’s trailer or visit the Ghastly Love of Johnny X website. At StarFest, the first 100 people to the screening will receive a full-size 27×40 movie poster! Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the movie’s Director, Paul Bunnell and Jed Rowen, who plays Sluggo in the film.

Molly Tanzer – DigiFest Guest

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Stephen Walker

Molly Tanzer
Author, Blogger

Molly Tanzer is a freelance writer and editor, and she works for Prime Books, too. She is happy to attend to your needs, if those needs happen to involve writing, editing, proofreading, or just some good conversation and company.

Molly earned her degree of Artium Baccalaureus in Art History (summa cum laude, natch) from Rollins College in 2004, and she recently completed her Master’s in Humanities at Florida State University. She is a fan of Hong Kong cinema and bad fantasy movies, an out-of-pracitice translator of ancient Greek, and an avid admirer of the novels of eighteenth century England. If you get her started, she will talk endlessly about such things as vegan cooking, dark beers, cocktail-mixing, and hiking up ferocious mountains.

Ms. Tanzer will be contributing to our programming at DigiFest. She also feels pretty weird writing about herself in the third person, so if you want to find out more, email her, or follow her @molly_the_tanz, or just read some of her blog posts on her website.